DOPE RULINGS NO HELP: USERS

A recent run of court rulings that have left Canada's marijuana law in
limbo are providing no relief to the sick, say people who need to use the
drug for medical reasons.

Those who have exemptions from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
still have no way to legally procure the drug and don't want to be forced
to "turn to the street." Doctors are still being pressured by powerful
associations not to sign patient declarations that allow marijuana to be
legally smoked for medicine.

And even a speedy move toward decriminalization won't make a difference.

"Pot possession laws, decriminalization, whatever the government is doing,
whatever the courts are doing, is not helping us at all," said William
Palmer, an HIV sufferer, who can legally puff for medicinal purposes.